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Dondon Hontiveros torn between retiring and chasing another title to cap PBA career

Dondon Hontiveros says he wants to cap his PBA career with another championship. Jerome Ascano

DONDON Hontiveros is torn between finally hanging up his sneakers or playing another season in the PBA.

Hontiveros finds himself in a quandary following the tribute extended to him by Alaska in the team’s Governors Cup game against defending champion Barangay Ginebra Saturday night at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The 40-year-old Hontiveros has been a long-time basketball icon in Cebu since playing for Don Bosco Technology Center as a high schooler and the University of Cebu in college.

The Aces deemed it wise to give their veteran gunner a tribute before his home fans, with his one-year contract with the multi-titled franchise set to expire by the end of the season.

Alaska management said it hasn’t discussed yet any contract renewal with Hontiveros, although team manager and alternate governor Dickie Bachman said the shooting guard is the company’s basketball director in its Alaska PowerCamps in the Queen City of the South for the past three years.

Hontiveros did confirm Alaska hasn’t discussed the franchise’s plans for him. But as far as he’s concerned, he believes he’s still capable of playing for a year or two in the league especially since the 17-year veteran wants to cap his career with another championship.

“I think I can still play,” said Hontiveros, a three-time league champion and 13-time All-Star. “To be honest, it is sad if I go without winning another championship.”

Dondon stressed he won't take it against the Aces if the team won’t sign him to a new contract. He knows where Alaska is coming from.

“I understand the team is more into developing our young players,” he added.

If given the chance, Hontiveros said he wants another year of playing in the hope of winning another title before he finally retires from playing.

The Cebuano cager last won a championship with Alaska during the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup.

“I would just have to take care of my body and try to stay in shape to give myself a chance at another year,” Hontiveros said.

But he’ll forever be grateful for what Alaska has done for him and his career.

“The tribute game is exciting and humbling as well,” he said of the 14-minute program highlighted by commissioner Chito Narvasa giving Hontiveros a commemorative ball at the half of Barangay Ginebra’s 94-80 win over Alaska.

“It speaks well of the Alaska management to have something like that for me in Cebu,” added Hontiveros, who joined the team from Petron at the start of the 2012-13 season.